I started by washing and ironing the shirt. I'm really not a fan of ironing shirts - as you can tell from the photo!
I picked up a selection of (free!) cushion inserts from Freecycle and used the one which was 20x20 inches, so cut a square from the shirt of 21x21 inches (to allow for a 1/2 inch hem). I wanted to keep the pocket, which meant a bit of fiddling around trying to get the arm hole seams to match up, front and back.
Before sewing, I decided to add some detail to the front by top stiching on some green ribbon (but forgot to take a photo!). Then I sewed all the way round with a 1/2 inch hem and right sides together. There's no need to leave a gap, as the cover is turned out using the button up front.
The original buttons were a bit beige, so I swapped them for some red ones. I think I must have been subconsciously thinking of Christmas when I picked the green and red colours!
Then all that was left was to turn it the right way round, slip in the cushion and give it a good plump!
The beauty of making this type of cover is that you can take it off for washing, but you don't need to worry about adding a zip as you have a ready made closing!
What have you made into a cushion cover?!
Update 15th Oct 14 - This post was featured here at Wake Up Wednesday
Nice job, great upcycle work. x
ReplyDeleteThank you! x
DeleteIt's a great idea to use the buttons as the closing, much speedier assembly. I like the green trim and red buttons. It makes it stand out much more than leaving the original.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea! I agree, it was definitely too plain before x
DeleteFab tutorial! Love the recycling and clothes nowwill have to sorry through my old clothes now and see what I can create! Xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny, let us know how you get on! It was so simple that I'm now tempted to fill my house with different shirt cushions ;) x
DeleteWhat a great cushion cover and how fab to re-cycle a denim shirt.
ReplyDeleteThank you! x
DeleteWhat a great idea, I'm always seeing lots of lovely shirts in charity shops, I may have to get some to turn into cushion covers.
ReplyDeleteIt would work well for those great charity shop finds that you'd never actually wear!! x
DeleteI love recycling my clothes that I'll never wear again, I love your choice of buttons, the red works well with the denim :)
ReplyDeleteJan x
p.s.... I don't like ironing shirts either :)
Thanks Jan! I'm not really a fan of any type of ironing... but shirts are definitely the worst ;) x
DeleteUpdating clothes into home decor is fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing your awesomeness at Show Me Saturday! Please join us again this weekend!
ReplyDelete~ Ashley
Thanks Ashley, we'll certainly be joining you again at the weekend! x
DeleteWow! I love this. What a great idea to use the buttons on the front of the shirt as the opening for the cushion cover and and the use of the pocket is a perfect quirky touch, ideal place to keep the tv remote to stop it getting lost down the sofa!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love your idea of using the pocket to keep the remote safe! x
DeleteCute idea. I've been thinking about using my husbands old Hawaiian shirts from our honeymoon to make pillows for our bed. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletecass-eats.blogspot.com
I reckon a Hawaiian shirt version would look fab! And extra special as they are from your honeymoon :) x
DeleteCongrats! This post of yours has been featured on Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party.
ReplyDeleteCheck it out here- http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2014/10/fever-is-still-on-wuw-linky-party.html
-Tanya
Thanks so much for the feature Tanya x
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